§ 6. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on what date was the name of the Fleet Air Arm last changed; and by what official designation is it now known.
§ Mr. CallaghanUse of the term "Fleet Air Arm" was discontinued over four years ago, as flying is an integral part of the activities of the Royal Navy. From time to time, when it is convenient to employ a generic noun, the term "Naval Aviation" is used.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIf the use of the term "Fleet Air Arm" was discontinued four years ago, why is it that the First Lord of the Admiralty used it in another place a few weeks ago? Secondly, what was the reason for changing from "Fleet Air Arm" to "Air Branch of the Royal Navy," from "Air Branch of the Royal Navy" to "Naval Air Arm," and from ''Naval Air Arm" to "Naval Aviation"? Would the hon. Gentleman not bring some sense into this and call it by the name by which everyone knows it?
§ Mr. Callaghan"Fleet Air Arm," during years between the wars, meant the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force. Now there has been an attempt to introduce a term which will not confuse people and which, at the same time, will not seem to show that aviation is something separate from the activities of the Navy as a whole.
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander BennettIf "Naval Aviation" is a valid term, is it not automatically correct that the alternative type of service in the Navy could be equally and as efficiently known as "Naval Seafaring"?